The Feeling of Growing Up Really Isn't So Great

Hinata recalled her two trips to Sunagakure and gave a brief overview of the situation there.

"Seriously, you could have asked Uncle Shikaku about this!"

Shikamaru said with a helpless expression, "If Dad were willing to take care of me, I wouldn't have to worry about this."

Hinata glanced at Shikamaru a few times. Although he seemed a bit lazy, he was a person with backbone and a willingness to take responsibility.

Shikamaru always tries his best to complete any task assigned to Shikamaru by the village.

Shikamaru is a very responsible person, and Tsunade and Shikaku Nara seem to want to train Shikamaru, which is why they entrusted him with the task of the Joint Chunin Exam Shikamaru.

In fact, the balance of power in the Shinobi World has been broken, and Konoha no longer cares about the rankings in the Joint Chunin Exam.

As long as Hinata remains in Konoha, the other major Shinobi Village cannot and dare not interfere with Konoha's interests.

Hinata could think of it, Shikamaru could naturally think of it too.

Shikamaru was still somewhat young and impetuous, and he didn't want to see any blemishes on his ninja resume. At the same time, a sense of responsibility drove Shikamaru to do his job conscientiously.

Hinata withdrew her gaze and said in a low voice, "You've really matured a lot in the last two years!"

Shikamaru looked distressed. "I'd rather stay a child forever. Growing up isn't a very pleasant experience!"

Hinata rolled her eyes. She was only fourteen years old, yet Shikamaru was lamenting his lost youth like an old man.

"If you and Rock Lee could complement each other, I think that would be great!"

Shikamaru lay on the floor with his hands behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling, and asked seemingly casually, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Hinata has spent most of her time at home studying ninjutsu these past few months, but she occasionally gets together with her classmates.

Although the bond between the young members hadn't broken down, perhaps Hinata had become too open-minded, and Shikamaru, with his sensitivity, was naturally able to detect some subtle differences.

"Me..."

Hinata also placed her hands behind her head and lay on the other side of the table.

"I just want to study Genin and learn how to handle family affairs from my father."

Shikamaru neither confirmed nor denied this.

Two years ago, when Hinata and Shikamaru first teamed up to pursue Sasuke, Shikamaru sensed that Hinata seemed to be intentionally letting Sasuke leave.

At the time, Sasuke back to the village was not a good option, Shikamaru quickly put the matter aside.

Until recently, when Sasuke sneaked back into Konoha and assassinated the village elder, Hinata was a prime suspect. After learning the news, Shikamaru immediately went to the Hyuga residence to inform Hinata and also to see Hinata reaction.

Even after it was later confirmed that the person who came to Sasuke was not Hinata, but a mysterious person who had mastered Space-time ninjutsu, Shikamaru still felt that Hinata was inextricably linked to the matter.

After all, they were childhood friends. During their time at the Ninja Academy, Hinata played best Choji Shikamaru and Shikamaru, while Sasuke and Naruto had to take a backseat!

Although everyone grows, growth can take different directions.

Shikamaru was so worried that his childhood friend would go astray that the two eventually turned against each other.

"I see!"

Shikamaru sighed softly, his tone tinged with longing, and said, "You're a renowned powerhouse in the ninja Shinobi World now, and even the major Shinobi Village don't dare to provoke you easily. Back in the Ninja Academy, I thought you'd become Shinobi World for 'eating'!"

"Back then, all we did was eat and play. We were carefree all the time. Thinking about it now, I kind of miss it!"

"I remember Choji even asked you for the secret to not gaining weight. You seemed to have misunderstood and thought Choji had feelings for you back then..."

Hinata: "..."

Let's not talk about our dark past and we can still be good friends.

"Sigh! We've all grown up!"

Hinata let out a long sigh. Growing up really isn't a good feeling, especially as she drifts further and further away from her childhood friends. Sometimes Hinata feels lonely.

Hinata glanced at Shikamaru with a complicated expression, Hinata shook her head slightly.

If we're talking about who among Hinata's former friends could walk alongside Hinata to the end, it would probably only be Sasuke!

It's not just about potential, but also about personal character.

Hinata and Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Sakura, Kiba, Shino often meet, but they can sense a huge chasm between them.

On the contrary, she could talk about her true thoughts with Sasuke without any reservations, even though they were far apart.

Even though Sasuke now has other thoughts and his own plans, Hinata can still feel that Sasuke is her true comrade.

Hinata fears this feeling the most. The reason Hinata is reluctant to leave Konoha is because she still has good friends like Shikamaru there.

Hinata really wanted to ask Shikamaru, "If one day I do something to harm Konoha, will you still consider me a friend?"

It's just that this question is really hard to ask.

Hinata and Shikamaru fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

After all, it's a friendship of many years. Silence won't make either of them feel awkward, but it's hard to find that feeling of 'understanding' from back then.

"Ah--"

Hinata stretched and rubbed the flesh on her cheeks to relax her expression.

"Shikamaru, I should go back now."

Shikamaru struggled to his feet and said weakly, "I'll take you!"

At the Nara Clan, Shikamaru watched Hinata's departing figure, his heart filled with complex emotions.

Hinata... what are you thinking?

Although Hinata hasn't done anything to harm Konoha yet, Shikamaru can sense that Hinata's heart is no longer with Konoha.

If it were the Hinata of the past, Shikamaru wouldn't think Hinata would have any plans.

After all, Hinata even gave up the Hokage Position, Ino has said more than once that Hinata is even more lazy than Shikamaru.

At least Shikamaru has some ambition, but Hinata has none at all. She stays at home every day enjoying the life of a pampered young lady and does almost nothing.

But Shikamaru knew that Hinata wasn't doing nothing; she was always working hard.

Hinata's focus is on researching ninjutsu.

No one desires power for no reason. Shikamaru also desires power, but his reason is to protect others, while Shikamaru 'Hinata is not.

Hinata used to find all sorts of excuses to slack off, but now she trains diligently on her own without needing anyone to urge her.

Clearly, Hinata has an ideal she must fulfill, but this ideal has nothing to do with Konoha.

Hinata's figure slowly disappeared from sight. Shikaku Nara appeared beside Shikamaru at some point, his gaze following the direction Shikamaru was looking, staring into the distance.

Patting Shikamaru on the shoulder, Shikaku Nara said calmly, "Everyone has their own choices. It's not wrong to worry about your comrades, but it's even more important to trust them!"

Shikamaru looked up at Shikaku Nara, his tone tinged with a sense of loss. "I know..."

"But... but I always feel like Hinata is getting further and further away from us!"

Shikaku Nara was slightly surprised and asked in a cryptic tone, "Is that so?"